Canadian tokens?

Spinynorman

I received these two in a group of Canadian provincial cents and bank tokens. Are they Canadian as well? Any specific information or value would be appreciated. The Wellington portrait appears to be very similar to a 1783 Washington & Independance token that I have.

laurentyvan

While I can't help you with ID, I just wanted to say that I was particularly taken with the 1815 half penny token. The toning is just the way I like older copper to look.

I find myself buying Canadian bank tokens on a regular basis-they're rarely expensive and usually represent an interesting bit of history.
I bought one recently, Bank of Montreal I think, that had the word "inspected" stamped right across the obverse.

cosmicdebris

I like that 1815 too

Spinynorman

Thanks. I'd never paid much attention to them, except for the PEI cents. The Nova Scotia/New Brunswick cents are growing on me, though. But then, I am kind of partial to the young Vicky coins. I can imagine they would be stunning in original condition.

Bruce

While they are interesting pieces I believe they are not Canadian, at least not official government issue. If it were it should say the privince issued from or Canada on it. Just my opinion, not stated as absolute here.

oldshep

Steve - I don't know what they are ....but they sure are neat, especially the 1815.
Shep

ajaan

Token #1 BR-979

Token #2 BR-994 From Charlton (1977) 'The Britannia-eagle tokens were issued in 1813 by a Boston merchant who settled in Montreal. Lightweight specimens dated 1813, 1814, and 1815 are imitations. The token of 1815 was once thought extremely rare, but a hoard was found in 1900'

Any values I have are from 1977.

Spinynorman

Excellent! Thank you, ajaan. I can see another book in my future.

1960NYGiants

Hi Spiny,

To add to Don's info:

The first is catalogued by Charlton as Wellington #WE2A. There are 3 varieties - plain edge, engrailed edge, and reeded edge. 2003 cat values F $8, VF $20, EF $60 Canadian. Yours looks VF+ to me.

The second is part of the Spread Eagle series of 1813-1815. The 1813 date was issued by a Boston Merchant and struck over the Samuel Guppy token of Bristol and is considered the original. Weight 8.8gms, diameter 27.9mm, coinage strike, engrailed edge. Yours is an imitation piece catalogued as Lower Canada #LC54D2 with clockwise wreath. The D1 has a counter clockwise wreath. According to Charlton these were produced after 1825 and antedated. Weight 6.1-6.5gms, dia 27.5-27.7mm, coinage strike, engrailed edge. Values F $12, VF $18, EF $30. Yours looks EF to me.

Nice tokens,

Gene

Spinynorman

Great addition! Thanks. Both weigh in the 6g range and have the engrailed edge.

Spinynorman

Care to look up another one from Lower Canada?

ajaan

Very interesting token Steve. BR-718 issued from 1824-1827 with plain edges and 1828-1830 with reeded edges. Issued by a druggist firm in Toronto who also sold books.

edit to add: there is also a 2p coin that is rare, especially in Fine.

Spinynorman

Yeah, I saw more about the 2p than the 1/2p when I searched google. There were more interesting ones on this site. I may have stumbled on to my latest sidetrack.

Luvdawgs

Very nice tokens. I love Canadian tokens. I have a few myself.

ajaan

I loved a token Canadian once. It was during the summer of 1978, but I won't go there . . .

1jester

Excellent finds, Spiny! I like 'em.